The Impact of Corporate Social Responsibility on Brand Value and Financial Performance: Evidence from Bancassurance Service Providers in Vietnam

NGUYEN, Xuan Hung,DANG, Thuy Quynh,DINH, Thi Thao Quyen,DO, Phuong Thanh,PHAM, Thu Uyen,MAI, Duc Duong Korea Distribution Science Association 2022 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.9 No.6

The objective of this article is to assess the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) implementation on Corporate Brand Value (CBV) and Corporate Financial Performance (CFP). At the same time, the article examines the mediated role of CBV on the relationship between CSR implementation and CFP. In-depth interviews and observation techniques were used in this article on 4 experts to collect qualitative information. Quantitative analysis was based on primary data obtained from 454 employees working at enterprises providing Bancassurance services. The article uses various models of Cronbach's Alpha coefficient, Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA), Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA), and Structural Equation Analysis (SEM) using SPSS 22.0 and AMOS 20.0 software. In addition, a 5-point Likert scale is used to measure observed variables. Research results show that CBV plays an intermediate role in the relationship between CSR implementation and CFP. At the same time, the implementation of CSR toward communities, customers, and workers directly impacts CBV and CFP. The article draws a new conclusion; there is no relationship found between the implementation of CSR and CFP. The result proposes implications for the state and Bancassurance service providers to develop and implement CSR-related policies and activities to enhance their brand value and financial performance.

Factors Affecting Financial Independence of Young Adults: An Empirical Study in Vietnam

Lan NGUYEN,Quyen Thi TRINH,Thao Ngoc Minh TRAN 한국유통과학회 2021 The Journal of Asian Finance, Economics and Busine Vol.8 No.10

Nowadays, with the constant enhancement in the health of the economy, the average income and living standard have accordingly increased, making the need for financial independence a favorable choice. This research aims to identify the factors affecting the financial independence of young people. The authors implement quantitative analysis, with a set of primary data collected from a survey of 2664 Vietnamese people aged from 18 to 28. The research results demonstrate the considerable impact of monetary, psychological, group-related, and family-related factors on the financial independence of young people. The results of the sample analysis provide adequate evidence to reject the correlative relationship between family and group factors and the financial independence of young people. In addition, there are 3 factors, including demographic factors, monetary factors, and psychological factors, all have varying degrees and directions of influence on young people’s financial independence. Most of the mentioned variables reflect a positive effect on financial independence. The only exception is the education variable, illustrated by its negative standardized beta value. A significant difference in financial independence between genders also is reported, suggesting that males seem to have a higher level of financial independence than females.

Anti-inflammatory activity of compounds from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale

Huynh Nguyen Khanh Tran,Thao Quyen Cao,김정아,윤의중,김상희,우미희,민병선 대한약학회 2018 Archives of Pharmacal Research Vol.41 No.10

Five new compounds, 9,30-dimethoxyhierochin A (1), 6-oxo-trans-neocnidilide (2), (±)-(3E)-trans-6-hydroxy- 7-methoxydihydroligustilide (3), (±)-cnidiumin (4), and 6-(1-oxopentyl)-salicylic acid methyl ester (5), together with twenty known compounds (6–25), were isolated from the rhizome of Cnidium officinale. The chemical structures of new compounds were established by NMR spectroscopic techniques, mass spectrometry, Mosher’s method, and CD spectrum. Their anti-inflammatory activities were evaluated against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced nitric oxide (NO) production in macrophage RAW 264.7 cells. Compounds 7, 13, and 14 showed inhibitory effects with IC50 values of 5.1, 24.5, and 27.8 lM, respectively. In addition, compounds 7, 13, and 14 reduced LPS-induced inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) protein in a concentration-dependent manner.

Cytotoxic Activity of Compounds from Styrax obassia

Cao, Thao Quyen,Lee, Bo Mi,Jung, Yeon Woo,Nguyen, Van Thu,Kim, Jeong Ah,Min, Byung Sun NATURAL PRODUCT COMMUNICATIONS 2017 Natural product communications Vol.12 No.2

<P>Cancer is a major public health burden in both developed and developing countries. Plant-derived compounds have played an important role in the development of useful anti-cancer agents. The current study was designed to evaluate the cytotoxic activity of chemical compounds from the stem bark of Styrax obassia. Seven known compounds (1-7) were isolated and identified. Compound 2 exhibited cytotoxic activity against the breast cancer cell line MCF-7 with an IC50 of 27.9 mu M, followed by the human cervical cancer cell line Hela with an IC50 of 23.3 mu M, and the human promyelocytic leukemia cell line HL-60 with an IC50 of 47.8 mu M. Compound 7 exhibited cytotoxicity against Hela cells with an IC50 of 16.8 mu M, followed by MCF-7 cells with an IC50 of 53.5 mu M. This is the first study to investigate the significant anti-tumor properties of isolated compounds from the stem bark of S. obassia.</P>

Biological Activity of Chemical Constituents Isolated from Strain Chlamydomonas sp. KSF108 (Chlamydomonadaceae)

Huynh Nguyen Khanh Tran,윤의중,김민지,Thao Quyen Cao,김정아,우미희,김상희,민병선 한국생약학회 2020 Natural Product Sciences Vol.26 No.1

This study focused on investigation of the immunosuppressive inhibitory effect through determination of IL-2 production of nine compounds (1 - 9) isolated from Chlamydomonas sp. KSF108. Among them, compounds 1, 5, and 6 displayed moderately inhibitory effects on IL-2 production at a concentration of 100 µM. In addition, the related ones including cytotoxic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities were also elucidated. 6 further displayed cytotoxic activity against the MCF-7 cell line, with an IC50 value of 17.2 µM and 4, 6 − 7, and 9 possessed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity, with IC50 values ranging from 3.1 to 4.4 µM. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the bioactivity of isolated chemical constituents from the genus Chlamydomonas. Compounds 1 and 5 investigated for the first time in the activity of immunosuppressivity and 6 may come to serve as the most important marker in broad-spectrum activities of the secondary metabolites identified from C. sp. KSF108.

Chemical Constituents from the Aerial Parts of Artemisia capillaris Thunb. and Their Anti-allergic and Anti-inflammatory Effects

Thi Thu Nguyen,Thi Oanh Vu,Thao Quyen Cao,민병선,김정아 한국생약학회 2020 Natural Product Sciences Vol.26 No.1

Artemisia capillaris Thunb. (Compositae) is a traditional medicinal plant with various pharmacological activities. To elucidate new anti-allergic and anti-inflammatory constituents, the aerial parts of A. capillaries were investigated to afford a new compound, (6E,8E)-6-methylundeca-6,8-diene-2,5,10-trione (17) together with 19 known compounds (1 - 16, 18 - 20). The structures of these compounds were determined by extensive spectroscopic analyses including 1D, 2D NMR, HREIMS, and optical rotation [α]D. The absolute configuration of compound 2 was determined to be S form for the first time. All isolates (1 - 20) were tested their inhibitory effects on interleukin 2 (IL-2) expression in T cells and NO production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW246.7. Among them, compounds 10, 11, 19, and 20 reduced IL-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, compound 10 also inhibited NO production with an IC50 value of 37.3 ± 0.4 μM.

Effects of Glycerol and Shikimic Acid on Rapamycin Production in Streptomyces rapamycinicus

( Huyen Thi Huong La ),( Thao Kim Nu Nguyen ),( Hang Thuy Dinh ),( Quyen Minh Huynh Nguyen ),( Minh Hong Nguyen ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2020 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.48 No.3

Rapamycin, derived from Streptomyces rapamycinicus, is an important bioactive compound having a therapeutic value in managing Parkinson’s disease, rheumatoid arthritis, cancer, and AIDS. Because of its pharmaceutical activity, studies over the past decade have focused on the biosynthesis of rapamycin to enhance its yield. In this study, the effect of rapG on rapamycin production was investigated. The rapG expression vector was constructed by utilizing the integration vector pSET152 under the control of the erythromycin resistance gene (ermE*), a strong constitutive promoter. The rapamycin yield of wild type (WT) and WT/ rapG overexpression mutant strains, under fermentation conditions, was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Our results revealed that overexpression of rapG increased rapamycin production by approximately 4.9-fold (211.4 mg/l) in MD1 containing 15 g/l of glycerol, compared to that of the WT strain. It was also found that Illicium verum powder (10 g/l), containing shikimic acid, enhanced rapamycin production in both WT and WT/rapG strains. Moreover, the amount of rapamycin produced by the WT/rapG strain was statistically higher than that produced by the WT strain. In conclusion, the addition 15 g/l glycerol and 15 g/l I. verum powder produced the optimal conditions for rapamycin production by WT and WT/rapG strains.

Immunohistochemical expression of anaplastic lymphoma kinase in neuroblastoma and its relations with some clinical and histopathological features

Thu Dang Anh Phan,Thao Quyen Nguyen,Nhi Thuy To,Thien Ly Thanh,Dat Quoc Ngo 대한병리학회 2024 Journal of Pathology and Translational Medicine Vol.58 No.1

Background: Anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) mutations have been identified as a prominent cause of some familial and sporadic neuroblastoma (NB). ALK expression in NB and its relationship with clinical and histopathological features remains controversial. This study investigated ALK expression and its potential relations with these features in NB.Methods: Ninety cases of NB at the Department of Pathology, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam from 01/01/2018 to 12/31/2021, were immunohistochemically stained with ALK (D5F3) antibody. The ALK expression and its relations with some clinical and histopathological features were investigated.Results: The rate of ALK expression in NB was 91.1%. High ALK expression (over 50% of tumor cells were positive with moderate-strong intensity) accounted for 65.6%, and low ALK expression accounted for 34.4%. All the <i>MYCN</i>-amplified NB patients had ALK immunohistochemistry positivity, most cases had high ALK protein expression. The undifferentiated subtype of NB had a lower ALK-positive rate than the poorly differentiated and differentiated subtype. The percentages of ALK positivity were significantly higher in more differentiated histological types of NB (p = .024). There was no relation between ALK expression and: age group, sex, primary tumor location, tumor stage, <i>MYCN</i> status, clinical risk, Mitotic-Karyorrhectic Index, prognostic group, necrosis, and calcification.Conclusions: ALK was highly expressed in NB. ALK expression was not related to several clinical and histopathological features. More studies are needed to elucidate the association between ALK expression and ALK gene status and to investigate disease progression, especially the oncogenesis of ALK-positive NB.

One-Pot Preparation of Antibacterial Electrospun Polycaprolactone Membrane Embedded with Gamma Irradiation-Induced Silver Nanoparticles

Chien Minh Tran,Ngoc Thi‑Thanh Nguyen,Minh Hieu Ho,Vinh Khanh Doan,Khanh Loan Ly,Nhi Ngoc‑Thao Dang,Nam Minh‑Phuong Tran,Hoai Thi‑Thu Nguyen,Long Phuoc Truong,Thai Minh Do,Quyen Ngoc Tran,Hien Quoc Ng 한국섬유공학회 2023 Fibers and polymers Vol.24 No.1

In this study, we proposed a straightforward electrospun polycaprolactone (PCL) loaded with silver nanoparticles (SNPs)membrane fabrication process, in which SNPs were directly synthesized from silver nitrate (AgNO3) in PCL–acetone mixtureby gamma irradiation. The insolubility of AgNO3in PCL solution was solved using an auxiliary dimethyl sulfoxide solvent. As a physical approach, gamma rays readily converted silver ions into SNPs without the addition of harmful reductionagents, which reduced the cytotoxicity of the synthesized material. By avoiding some processes such as purification, solventremoval, or redispersion of SNPs, this method was more time-saving compared to other related studies. SNPs formation wasconfirmed by both UV–Visible spectrum (UV–Vis) and X-ray diffraction analysis. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)revealed that the addition of SNPs significantly reduced the fiber diameter of PCL–Ag membranes compared to that of rawPCL. Uniform spherical-shaped SNPs incorporated in PCL fibers were observed under transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The tensile test showed that the electrospun PCL–Ag membranes exhibited good mechanical characteristics. Moistureeasily penetrated the porous microstructure of PCL–Ag, facilitating wound humidity regulation. Inductively coupledplasma-mass spectroscopy (ICP-MS) was employed to study the release profiles of SNPs at different time intervals. Overall,the PCL–Ag 500 ppm sample exerted excellent antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcusaureus strains and low in vitro cytotoxicity.

The reduced reversible phase transition field of lead–free Bi–based ceramic composites by adding nonergodic relaxor

Dinh, Thi Hinh,Tran, Vu Diem Ngoc,Nguyen, Thi Thao,Hoang, Quyen Thi Ngoc,Han, Hyoung–,Su,Lee, Jae–,Shin Elsevier 2017 CERAMICS INTERNATIONAL Vol.43 No.18

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>This study investigated the microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric, and strain properties of lead‒free 0.995Bi<SUB>1/2</SUB>(Na<SUB>0.82</SUB>K<SUB>0.18</SUB>)<SUB>1/2</SUB>TiO<SUB>3</SUB>–0.005BaZrO<SUB>3</SUB>/0.98Bi<SUB>1/2</SUB>(Na<SUB>0.78</SUB>K<SUB>0.22</SUB>)<SUB>1/2</SUB>TiO<SUB>3</SUB>–0.02LaFeO<SUB>3</SUB> (BNKT18BZ/BNKT22LF) ceramic composites. We found that the required electric field for trigging the phase transition from ergodic relaxor (ER) to ferroelectric of BNKT18BZ/BNKT22LF ceramic composites can be effectively decreased by adding BNKT18BZ as nonergodic relaxor (NER) with changes of three different stabilized regions and the highest <I>S</I> <SUB>usable</SUB> peak points as a function of the applied electric field. The highest <I>d</I> <SUB>33</SUB> <SUP>*</SUP> value of 690p.m./V was obtained at 4kV/mm for 0.3wt BNKT18BZ fraction ceramic composites. This value was higher than 575 p.m./V of BNKT22LF ceramics under an applied electric field of 5kV/mm.</P>